Journey to the West: Starting from the Imperial Horse Stable

This statement progresses step by step, from the hypothetical defeat to the changing situation, and then to the specific opportunities for Venus as an individual. The logic is clear and goes straight to the core.

It no longer dwells on unverifiable questions like "how strong is Sun Wukong?", but instead focuses on the strategic level of "how to deal with a certain outcome".

Bai Jian fell silent, his displeasure gradually replaced by deep contemplation. He had to admit that Wang Chen's deduction was rigorous in itself.

The situation in the Heavenly Court is unpredictable and volatile, and opportunities are indeed fleeting. Preparing for all possibilities, especially the "bad" ones, is the survival wisdom of those in the midst of it.

However, he still found it difficult to fully believe the premise that "Li Jing was defeated." Was it worthwhile to expend effort and resources preparing for an event that everyone considered to have an extremely low probability?

Bai Jian weighed his options in his mind, but didn't show much on his face. He simply resumed his previous calm tone, carrying the politeness and reserve common in official circles:

"Your thoughts are profound, and even a fraction of what you say is not without merit. This matter concerns my master, and I will inform him of the immortal official's plan when the time is right. As for how my master will decide, that is beyond my control."

Wang Chen could tell from his perfunctory tone that he was being dismissive.

"To inform at an opportune time" means that it may be immediately, or it may be much later, or it may just be a verbal promise.

Bai Jian did not really take the proposal seriously, or rather, he was still observing and weighing whether Wang Chen was worth taking any risk or wasting his breath for.

Wang Chen understood, knowing that this matter couldn't be rushed, much less forced. He had done all he could.

Information and judgments should be conveyed through a suitable channel. The seed has been sown; whether it will sprout, and when it will sprout, depends on the right time and place, as well as the choices made by Bai Jian and Venus themselves.

He stopped dwelling on the matter, and a respectful yet slightly awkward smile returned to his face, as if his earlier deduction was merely a coincidence.

He turned around, took the exquisite wooden box containing the Qingyu Concentration Brush from the chair next to him, and presented it to Bai Jian with both hands.

"Lord Bai, I have benefited greatly from your teachings today. Before coming here, I happened to come across this item, and I found its elegance and gentleness quite in line with your demeanor. I am not knowledgeable enough to know whether this item is suitable for you, but it is just a small token of my appreciation. I hope you will accept it as a way of thanking you for taking the time to guide me today."

Wang Chen spoke very earnestly and placed the object in Bai Jian's hands very naturally.

Bai Jian was slightly taken aback when he saw the wooden box, and subconsciously refused, saying, "Your Majesty, what do you mean by this? We have had a very pleasant conversation today, how can I accept such a generous gift? Please take it back immediately."

He has always disliked such mundane matters as receiving gifts, let alone from a minor official whom he had only met once.

"My lord, please don't refuse. It's nothing of great value," Wang Chen quickly said, while gently opening a corner of the wooden box to reveal a magical brush inside—a brush with a jade handle, a silver bristle, and a faint, shimmering glow.

"I find you, sir, to be of such refined elegance and eloquent speech that you must be writing and annotating documents daily. This pen is named 'Qingyu Ningshen,' and it is said to have a calming effect, which may add a touch of tranquility to your work. Upon seeing this pen, I felt it resonated with your temperament, and thus I took the liberty of purchasing it. It is truly a token of my admiration, with no other intention than to express my sincere respect. I humbly request your kind consideration."

Upon hearing that it was a pen, Bai Jian's gaze immediately fell upon it. The warm luster of the jade, the neat silver bristles, and the subtle aura of tranquility and peace emanating from it truly caught his eye.

He was naturally fond of quiet and literature, and had a particular fondness for writing.

This pen, in terms of its material, craftsmanship, and symbolism, perfectly suited his taste. It far surpassed those flashy but impractical magical artifacts or vulgar spiritual stones.

He certainly knew its value; he knew that such a pen was worth at least tens of thousands of spirit stones in Xuanzhu Village. This was by no means a small sum for him.

Although he was a disciple of Venus and held the title of Star Official, he had never been fond of business dealings, nor did he possess any real power or personal gain. His salary was limited, and he had to maintain a respectable image, so he was not actually well-off. He himself would not be willing to buy such a desirable pen.

Despite being a high-ranking official, he lived a life of poverty.

At this moment, Wang Chen presented the pen to him, offering such a dignified and thoughtful reason: admiring his demeanor and assisting with official documents, it was merely a small token of his appreciation.

Bai Jian's initial resistance had lessened considerably.

"This brush is far too valuable. I usually use ordinary bamboo tubes and wolf hair brushes. Such a precious item is beyond my means and may easily attract criticism."

Bai Jian's words still carried a hint of reluctance, but his tone had softened considerably, and his eyes remained fixed on the pen.

Wang Chen, observing Bai Jian's expression, immediately understood his conflicted feelings: he liked the box, but was also concerned about Bai Jian's status and the price, and worried about giving others cause for gossip. He quickly pushed the wooden box forward further, his tone becoming even more sincere:

"Your Excellency is overthinking this. I have no other desires than to express my admiration for you. This brush, however precious, is merely a tool. Only when it finds a true master who appreciates its value will its worth be fully realized. If you were to refuse it due to worldly concerns, it would only bring disgrace to the brush and leave me feeling uneasy. I humbly request that you accept it, as an encouragement to myself, so that I may strive to be as diligent and pragmatic as you are in the future."

These words not only gave Bai Jian a way out, but also dispelled any ulterior motives, and elevated Bai Jian's status. Upon hearing this, Bai Jian's last remaining concerns dissipated, and a genuine and joyful smile finally appeared on his face.

"In that case... I will shamelessly accept it."

Bai Jian took the wooden box, his fingers gently tracing the smooth inkwell, feeling its warmth. His smile deepened. He carefully put the box away, clearly in a good mood, and then took the initiative to speak:

"Regarding the Dew-Glazed Epiphyllum bouquet, I will have Jinghe expedite the preparations upon my return. Following your suggestion, we should quickly produce some samples and find suitable channels to test the waters. I am also eager to see just how much of a stir your ingenious idea of ​​expressing emotions through flowers can create."

Wang Chen quickly replied, "It's all thanks to your support, sir, and the management of Manager Zhang. I only had to give instructions; the actual implementation will require your help."

Bai Jian smiled and nodded, exchanged a few more polite words with Wang Chen, and then got up to take his leave. Zhang Jinghe hurriedly followed.

Wang Chenggong escorted Bai Jian to the entrance of the restaurant, watching him ride away on a cloud until his figure disappeared into the dazzling lights of Xuanzhu Market. The respectful smile on his face slowly faded, and his eyes became calm.

He knew that Bai Jian would not mention reminding Venus to prepare early for the time being, or at least he would not be in a hurry to do so.

The pen was merely to give him a good impression; how the bouquet business was doing was Bai Jian's further assessment of his abilities.

If the bouquets sell well, it proves that his vision and strategy are effective. Only then will his words about "Li Jing's defeat" carry more weight in Bai Jian's mind and may be truly conveyed to Taibai Jinxing's ears.

Not long after seeing Bai Jian off, Zhang Jinghe returned, his face showing both eagerness and a hint of embarrassment: "Lord Wang, you've really gone to great lengths for me today. This banquet should have been arranged by me; how could I have let you spend so much!"

Wang Chen waved his hand and laughed, "Manager Zhang, what are you saying? We were able to invite Lord Bai today entirely thanks to your introduction and mediation. I should be thanking you."

As he spoke, he took out another slightly smaller wooden box and handed it to Zhang Jinghe. "Manager Zhang, this sandalwood and ironwood pen, though not as exquisite as Lord Bai's, is still sturdy and durable, and symbolizes stability. These past few days, Manager Zhang has been running around tirelessly for the matter of the Dewdrop, and his efforts have been invaluable. Please accept this small token of my appreciation and do not refuse it."

Zhang Jinghe took the wooden box, opened it, and saw that the sandalwood and ironwood pen was lying quietly inside. The wood had a fine texture and felt heavy in the hand. It was clear at a glance that it was very valuable, worth at least several thousand spirit stones.

He never expected that Wang Chen would also prepare a generous gift for him, and the reason given was so thoughtful, praising his "hard work and great achievements".

For a moment, Zhang Jinghe felt a mix of emotions. There was surprise, there was gratitude, and above all, a warm feeling of being valued.

Wang Chen's lenient punishment of him during his previous inspection was an act of kindness; now, the gift of the pen is an act of affection. The combination of kindness and severity, done so naturally and appropriately, even moved this seasoned veteran of Xuanzhuji for many years.

"Lord Wang, this is far too precious; I am unworthy of it! You have already helped me before, and I haven't had a chance to properly thank you..."

Zhang Jinghe quickly declined, but his tone was no longer firm, and he gripped the wooden box tightly in his hand.

"Manager Zhang, you're too kind. Your help is far more valuable than a pen. We'll be working together for a long time to come, and I'll need your continued support," Wang Chen said sincerely, pressing his hand down.

Looking into Wang Chen's sincere eyes, Zhang Jinghe stopped refusing, nodded heavily, carefully put away the wooden box, and solemnly said, "Rest assured, Immortal Wang, I will do my best to handle the bouquet matter perfectly! In the future, if you have any requests, Immortal Wang, as long as it is within my ability, I will never refuse!"

Wang Chen smiled and nodded, then casually asked, "I trust Manager Zhang to handle things. By the way, there's something I'm curious about, but I'm not sure if I should ask."

"Please ask, sir, I will answer to the best of my knowledge."

"Before Manager Zhang started working for Lord Baijian...did he serve under Deng Jiugong, the Heavenly King Deng?" Wang Chen asked Zhang Jinghe calmly.